1. What was the inspiration behind writing You Should Have Seen This Coming?
My editor actually suggested it! She said what about something with the feel of a supernatural Veronica Mars. I loved it! Many months later I was looking through an old document of book ideas that I’d come up with years prior. There on the list was psychic Veronica Mars! I’d totally forgotten about it. So this book feels kismet for me!
2. When or how did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
I always loved books and writing. My mom even has some little books I created when I was very young! A few years after college I started taking it more seriously. I started working for a TV news station (where I still write for the news) and decided I wanted to do something a little more creative too. I started writing fiction, and here we are today!
3. What other fun facts about you that readers/fans should know?
I also write as Shani Petroff and have a bunch of supernatural middle grade books and YA rom coms out! I’ve even narrated the audiobooks for a bunch of them (including You Should Have Seen This Coming.)
4. Which characters from any of your books was your favorite to write?
They each hold a special place in my heart. For instance, I really liked writing Hayden and all her snark in You Should Have Seen This Coming; Emily in Romeo and What’s His Name and all the embarrassing situations she got herself into; and Angel in my very first book, Bedeviled: Daddy’s Little Angel. She had powers, and it was a blast figuring out new ways she could use them and funny situations she’d wind up in. But really, each book has characters that I truly loved writing!
5. Any favorite authors/books who/that inspires you?
Judy Blume has always been my favorite! As a kid I also read a lot of Christopher Pike and Lois Duncan. I adored their books and all of the supernatural elements. I’m excited that I finally have a YA book out that includes supernatural abilities as well! There are so many amazing authors and books out there! I’ve been on an audiobook kick lately – some of the ones I’ve recently enjoyed are by Marie Lu, Debbie Rigaud, Kit Frick, Emily Arsenault, and Nisha Sharma.
6. What are your favorite TV series and/or movies?
There are so many I love—I watch way too much TV. Some recent favorites are Only Murders in the Building, Younger, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Ted Lasso. (But really I could list many more too!)
7. What advice would you give to aspiring writers/authors and/or journalists?
For aspiring authors—first and foremost, I would say sit down and write! A lot of people talk about writing but never do it, or have book ideas that they think about but never put down on paper, but to be a writer you have to write. Try to get in some words every day. Even if it’s just a few paragraphs. Over time that adds up! I’d also suggest reading as much as you can and finding a class or group of people you trust to share your work with where you can get constructive feedback. As for journalism, I got my start in TV news as a trainee (which was like an intern) at a New York City station and worked my way up. Others I know learned the ropes in smaller markets or went to school for it.
